Hey Jude

Title:

Hey Jude

Author:

Spider, Star

Subject:

Depression

Family

Social Themes

Young Adult Fiction

LGBTQ+

Siblings

Description:

★"An emotionally layered book with accurate insight into mental illness, ideal for reluctant readers."-Kirkus Reviews, starred review Seventeen-year-old Penny is struggling to balance caring for Jude, her sister with mental health challenges, working part-time to help her mother with money issues and facing her final year of high school. She does not need any distractions. But then she meets Jack. The two of them click immediately. But as quickly as things heat up, they then cool down, and Penny isn't sure why. Does she have room for her feelings for Jack alongside her worries that her sister is crashing into suicidal depression again?

Publisher:

Orca Book Publishers

Date:

2020-08-04

Summary

Key Selling Points

A teen must balance the stress of her final year of high school and a budding romance while worrying about her clinically depressed sibling. Hey Jude explores the themes of mental illness, suicide and the nature of family. The main character is pansexual and there is a romantic relationship between her and a transgender boy, but it is not the main plot line. It's important to tell queer stories that normalize, not sensationalize the queer experience. Written by the author of Past Tense (HarperCollins, 2018). The author studied psychology at Ryerson and identifies as bisexual and bipolar. New, enhanced features (dyslexia-friendly font, cream paper, larger trim size) to increase reading accessibility for dyslexic and other striving readers.

Author Notes

Star Spider's stories and poetry often explore mental health and LGBTQ themes. Her debut novel, Past Tense (HarperCollins), was published in 2018. She lives in Toronto.

Reviews (1)

Kirkus Review

Penny's life hasn't been her own since she started caring for her sister, Jude, but everything starts to change when she meets Jack. Their mother works night shifts as a nurse, leaving high school senior Penny to pick up the slack. Her life revolves around Jude, school, and work. Penny isn't complaining, though; she loves Jude and recognizes how challenging it is for Jude to cope with her depression, particularly since it has been only one year since Jude attempted suicide. Penny seems to have it together until she meets cool, handsome Jack, who gives her butterflies all over. With everything going on in her life, Penny is torn between wanting to be there for her sister while also having a life of her own. The book talks about suicide, depression, gender, and sexuality in an appropriate, honest, and sensitive manner. The main characters each have a strong character arc that is explored to the fullest despite the short length and accessible vocabulary. The author's passions for diversity and mental health come across. Main characters are cued as white; Jack is brown-skinned and there is ample LGBTQIA representation. There are multiple mentions of suicide and suicide attempts. An emotionally layered book with accurate insight into mental illness, ideal for reluctant readers. (Fiction. 14-18) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.